Algarve, and Walks along the Cliff Tops

The days were hot, at 38 degrees Centigrade, which in fahrenheit is 100.4 degrees, and on some days the temperature rose to 40 degrees, which for us was almost unbearable. Mel was eager for exercise, although she had been in the garden, so early morning walks when the temperature was lower, became a pleasant ritual. As dogs are not allowed on the beach, we walked instead along the sandy pathways on the cliff tops, and here are some photos, (quite a lot) of what we saw on these walks.



This is what the path looks like most of the time, but there are also a number of "Villas" on the cliff tops.

There was a soft breeze coming from the sea most mornings, and we took a litre each of water with us.

Collared Doves in the "Agave American cactus". It's common name is century plant.

Although it is called the Century plant, it lives only 30 years, and near the end of it's life, it sends up a tall, branched stalk laden with yellowish blossoms, that may reach a total height of 25-30 foot. It flowers only once at the end of it's long life, and then dies. It's a good place for the doves to perch, taking advantage of the shade, and it makes a pretty picture.

 

When we are in Vau in October / November, Mel loves to walk along the sandy shore, and I love to collect shells.

The Yellow-Legged Gull.

The Algarve beaches never get crowded

Three more  shots of the Yellow-Legged Gull standing on the Villa roofs
 

 

 

Entrance gate to one of the Villas on the cliff top...
 

 called Three Palm Tree House.
 

My thanks to our gracious hosts, Stewart, Eileen, Anni and Theresa.
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

GOOD FENCES

Algarve and Cattle for Good Fences.

As the sun was going down, it cast a golden glow over the fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's time for Good Fences again, and if you would like to join in, just click on the link, where you will see interesting fences from all over the world.

Algarve, Mel, and the Azure-winged Magpie.

It took us seven hours to get to our destination, Vau beach, near Portimão, but it's always worth the long journey when we see the familiar and colourful surroundings, and that first view of the sea. These are a few photos I took from the varanda, to give you an idea of where we were.

I had packed a little wooden box, and tied it to the railings on our arrival.

It attracted several species of birds with the bread and cake mixture, but it was only when I began to share  cherries, and grapes as well, that the Azure-winged magpie appeared. They came early morning, and in the late evening, and I was lucky to get these photos, as they were extremely shy, and flew away at the slightest movement.

The Azure-winged magpie,  ( Cyanopica  cyanus)  is 35 cm long, more slender than the the European magpie, with Azure blue wings and tail. It has a glossy black top to the head, and a white throat, and it's legs are shorter than the European magpie. It's diet consists of pine-nuts soft fruit and berries. I had to lighten these shots considerably because of poor light.

Mel, tired out after the long journey.

 She heard the click of the camera, and opened her eyes.

A view from the back window.

Awake now, she poses nicely for her next photo!

The Bougainvillea on the terrace.

Some garden plants.

The beautiful colours of the Bougainvillia vines, hanging over the stone walls were just amazing.

The garden was ablaze with the colours of the exotic Hibiscus flowers, and I took many photos to share

Just click on the links below to see more birds, critters, and fences. A big thank you to all our hosts.
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN
GOOD FENCES

Algarve and The Bee-eater

Hello everyone!:) Many thanks to one and all, for your much appreciated comments, most of which I saw only moments ago.  Your good wishes for us to have a happy and relaxing holiday were fully realized, because we had a splendid time, full of adventures, and we really did enjoy every minute of each day. If you remember, my quest to find and photograph the Bee-eater, was high on my list of things to do, and photograph a Bee-eater I did, but only at a distance, never the less, it was a mission accomplished, and here are the few shots, I was able to get.

The Bee-eater  Meropidae  

It can eat around 250 bees a day. The impact on bee populations, however, is small as they eat less than 1% of the worker bees in the areas where they live. They nest in colonies in sandy banks, preferably near river shores, usually at the beginning of May. We found their tunnels, with the help of a friendly farmer, but alas they were all disappointingly empty, and  it seemed unlikely that I would see any at this stage.



They make a relatively long tunnel, in which they lay five to eight spherical eggs in June. Both male and female care for the eggs, which they brood for about three weeks. They also feed and roost communally. If only Americo and I had been able to leave earlier, we would have seen, so many more bee-eaters, but it was exciting looking for stragglers, and when we did eventually see one, it was a heart stopping moment.



On another day we were on our way to the marshlands by car, when I spotted what I thought looked like a bee-eater sitting on a fence. So Americo stopped the car, and I climbed out to get a clearer shot. We couldn't risk driving nearer in case it took flight, so here are the three captures I managed to  get.

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN
GOOD FENCES

Hens on Slope.

After we have celebrated my husband's eighty second birthday with the family tomorrow, hubby and I will be leaving at 5am on Sunday morning for the Algarve, where we have a place by the sea.The change of scenery and sea air is so beneficial, and we enjoy walking along the shore, and on the cliff tops with our dog Mel. I'm really looking forward to photographing some seascapes, and taking photos of the wildlife down there, and perhaps I will be lucky enough to see a Bee-eater, a bird I have seen there before, but never had the chance to photograph. We are staying until the end of the month, so what with the birthday lunch and last minute packing there won't be much time for visiting. I will visit you all however as soon as possible. Goodbye for now.:)

Leaving you with this country view, hoping to share some seabirds on our return, until then, take care:)